Chapter Four

Mason

I started up my F150, its engine rumbling to life with a growl as Juniper slid into the passenger seat next to me looking like a vision of winter beauty wrapped in a thick burgundy scarf that complimented the new style of her auburn curls.

"Hey, you got a haircut," I remarked, my gaze lingering on the way her hair framed her face just so, making her green eyes pop more than ever.

She ran her fingers through it as though she was self-conscious and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Yeah, I did. Do you like it?" Her voice held a hint of uncertainty, as if she genuinely cared about my opinion.

"Like it? Frankly, I think you'd look beautiful even if you had no hair at all." The words slipped out easier than I expected, and they had the desired effect. A rosy blush spread across Juniper's cheeks, and she leaned over to press a quick, sweet kiss to my lips.

"Thank you, Mason," she whispered, her breath warm against my cold skin.

We set off for the market, the truck's tires crunching over the fresh snow. Each street we passed was a vignette of holiday cheer; rooftops dusted with white, chimney smoke swirling into the air, and Christmas trees bedecked in ornaments and sparkling lights shining through window panes.

"Springfield always looks like a winter wonderland at this time of year, doesn't it?" When I glanced at Juniper, I saw her gaze dance from one scene to the next, her delight evident in every line of her body.

"It's perfect," she sighed, leaning back in her seat, a content smile curving her lips. "I can't believe I've been missing out on this for so long."

The drive was short but filled with an easy silence. I stole glazes at her when I could, my mind replaying the memory of her taste, the warmth of her lips still lingering on mine. Christmas carols played softly on the radio, and outside, the world was serene, blanketed in the type of peace that only a new snowfall can bring.

We reached the holiday market on the square and found a parking spot close by. As we stepped out of the truck and into the crisp air, the sounds and smells of the festivities enveloped us. My heart raced a bit faster, not from the cold, but from the anticipation of sharing this day with Juniper, of making new memories that would hopefully mean as much to her as they did to me.

"Ready to make some Christmas magic?" I asked, offering her my arm.

"Absolutely," she replied as she looped her arm through mine.

Her gaze roamed the festive panorama as we walked side by side, our arms linked together. Her eyes, those vibrant pools of green, sparkled brighter than any of the decorations as she took in the huge red velvet bows that hugged the lampposts like Christmas gifts waiting to be unwrapped. Snowflakes were falling lightly and catching in her newly cropped auburn curls, and I was tempted to run my lips over them.

"Look at this place," she breathed out, the mist from her words mingling with the winter air. "I never realized how much I missed it...Baltimore has skyscrapers and harbor lights, but none of this charm, none of this warmth."

"Then you'll just have to come back more often, won't you?" The words were out before I could stop them.

Her smile was genuine, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "Maybe I will," she said, her voice holding a note of hope that sent a rush of excitement through me.

We reached the market entrance, where we stopped to drop some money into the bucket of a bell-ringer dressed as Santa Claus collecting funds for the needy. We continued onward while I shared stories Uncle Frank and Aunt Carol had told me about the history of our little town since I wasn't sure how much Juniper already knew.

"Did you know this market started back in the '50s? It was just a few families setting up homemade crafts on fold-out tables," I began, weaving the tale with a sense of pride. "Now look at it."

"Really?" She looked around, her expression registering surprise. "I didn't know that. It really is amazing."

"I agree. Aunt Carol used to serve on the committee that organized it. She said that every year, it just grew a little more. More stalls, more lights... It's like the whole town comes together, you know? To create something special." I watched as she absorbed the history, her curiosity shining through.

"Special," she echoed, her hand finding mine, giving it a squeeze that sent warmth radiating up my arm. "Like us being here, together."

"Exactly like that." My thumb brushed over her knuckles, and in that moment, surrounded by the hum of the market and the gentle weight of history, everything felt possible.

The air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine and roasted nuts, mingling with the sound of laughter and festive chatter. Colorful stalls lined the walkways, each one like a treasure chest spilling over with handmade crafts and delicious treats.

"Look at these, Mason." Juniper's voice was breathless as she pointed at a display of hand-painted snow globes. "Every single one is unique."

"Kind of like people," I mused, grinning at her. "Each with their own little story inside."

"Poetic," she teased, bumping her shoulder into mine playfully. "Who knew Mr. Mechanic had such a way with words?"

"Hey now, Miss Landscape Designer, you're not the only one who can appreciate beauty," I shot back, enjoying the easy banter and the sparkle in her green eyes.

"True," she conceded with a smile that could've melted the snow beneath our feet.

Weaving through the crowd, I guided us toward a stall that caught my eye, one with intricately designed ornaments hanging from delicate hooks, each piece reflecting the lights in a mesmerizing dance. "Check this out," I said, drawing her closer to the display.

"Wow," Juniper whispered, her fingers tracing over a glass bauble painted with delicate holly leaves. "These are incredible."

"Think we could make something like this?" I asked, watching the way her freckles seemed to dance across her nose as her expression brightened.

"Us? Make ornaments?" She looked up at me, a mix of amusement and challenge in her gaze.

"Yeah, why not? Could be fun. Plus, we could make some for our families, too. Start a new tradition." The idea sparked something inside me.

"Traditions with you?" Her lips curved into a smile that reached her eyes. "I like the sound of that."

"Then it's settled." I grinned. "Let's go find some blank ones."

An elderly woman behind the counter with tight gray curls framing her face like a cloud smiled at us as Juniper picked out a box.

I handed some cash to the shopkeeper and tucked the set of ornaments in my arms. Juniper led us to a small table tucked away in the corner of the market's makeshift craft area. Around us, families and couples were already lost in their creative endeavors, laughing and chattering as they covered their baubles with colorful paint and glitter.

"Looks cozy," Juniper said, sliding onto an empty bench.

"Cozy and perfect." A volunteer dressed as an elf in a green wool dress and shoes with curled-up toes laid out our crafting supplies: brushes, paints, and glitter galore.

"Thank you," Juniper said, peering a little closer at the elf. "Lexi? Lexi Bell?"

"Oh my gosh, Juniper McCall!" The woman suddenly shrieked, making the bell on the end of her cap jingle. She bent to give Juniper a hug. "I'm sorry, I was so focused on making sure everyone had what they needed for crafting I didn't even realize it was you! What are you doing back in Springfield?"

Juniper laughed. "I'm just here for the holidays, to spend some time with my family since it's a been a while. But it's so nice running into old friends!"

Lexi grinned and glanced at me, then offered her hand for a shake. "Mason Knight, right? I was a couple of years behind you guys in school. Juniper used to tutor me in geometry; I was never any good with math. Which is probably why I decided to become drama teacher."

"That's a perfect fit for you!" Juniper exclaimed.

"I love it," said Lexi, her long elf cap swinging back and forth as she nodded emphatically.

"Sounds like you two need to get together and catch up," I said, smiling.

"I was just thinking the same thing," said Lexi, reaching for a piece of paper. "Here, Juniper, let me give you my number. We should do lunch or something while you're in Springfield."

"I'd love to," Juniper replied while Lexi picked up a nearby crayon and scribbled down the digits.

"I'll leave you guys to crafting," Lexi said, giving us a final wave before turning in the direction of a frazzled-looking women with two small children quickly approaching.

"Now let's see if we can make something that won't embarrass us when we hang it on the tree," I chuckled, reaching to take the lid off the box of our ornament set.

"Speak for yourself, Mason Knight. I plan on making the most beautiful ornament this market has ever seen." Juniper's teasing tone was like a siren's call, and I couldn't help but lean closer into her orbit, getting a whiff of her sweet fragrance as I did so.

"Is that a challenge?" I asked, handing her a brush and grazing her fingers with mine.

"Maybe." She dipped her brush into the gold paint, a wicked gleam in her eye. "But it's one you're going to lose."

"Ah, but losing to you might just be worth it," I mused, watching her focus intently on the ornament, tongue peeking out between her lips in concentration.

"Flatterer," she accused without looking up, but her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink that told me my words had hit their mark.

"Only stating the truth," I countered, selecting a rich green paint that matched her eyes. As I began to work on my own ornament, I couldn't help but steal glances at her. Juniper painted with such care, her brow furrowed in focus. It was entrancing.

"Hey, don't get distracted now," she laughed, noticing my attention. "Remember, we're in fierce competition here."

"Right, the competition..." I grinned, reaching across her for the silver glitter, our hands colliding. For a moment, neither of us moved, our eyes locking in a silent exchange that spoke volumes. Then, as if choreographed, we both leaned in for a brief, clandestine kiss.

"Oops," she murmured, lips curving into a knowing smile.

"Definitely an accident," I agreed, though every cell in my body screamed that it was anything but.

We returned to our task, but the air around us had changed, charged with an electric current that flowed freely between us. Our banter continued, light and flirtatious, while our hands occasionally brushed together, each touch lingering a little longer than necessary.

"Yours is looking pretty good," Juniper said after a while, inspecting my half-finished masterpiece of sloppy snowflakes and candy canes I'd been randomly painting over the surface of my orb.

"Thanks," I replied, then added with mock seriousness, "I've always had a knack for sprinkling glitter."

I glanced at her ornament. She was painting a winter scene with two people snuggled into a horse-drawn sleigh. The miniature rendition was amazing.

"Wow," I said, clutching my ornament and hiding it behind my back. "Don't even look at mine again. I guess it's no wonder you're a landscape designer. I remember you were always good at art, but I had no idea you could do anything like that." I pointed at her piece with my paintbrush.

She blushed and sighed, examining her artwork. "Thank you. Drawing and painting always relaxes me. To tell the truth, I've been so busy with getting through college and then trying to make a name for myself with work, I haven't had much free time to do it."

"That's too bad," I said, putting down my brush and brushing a stray curl back from her forehead.

"Ready to see what else this market has to offer?" I asked, tucking the last ornament into our bag of newly crafted treasures.

"Lead the way," Juniper said, her green eyes sparking with that adventurous glint I adored. We left the cozy crafting table behind and wove our way through aisles of festive stalls, each one an explosion of color and Christmas cheer.

"Smell that?" I inquired as a particularly inviting scent wafting on the crisp air reached us.

"Is that cinnamon?" Juniper closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. "It's like my entire childhood in one whiff."

"Even better." I grinned, pulling her toward the source. A vendor was selling warm apple cider from a giant steaming pot. "This will warm us right up." I purchased two cups and handed one to her.

"Thanks, Mason," she murmured, bringing the cup to her lips. Watching her, something simple yet intimate about the gesture, made my chest tighten.

"Good?" I nudged her gently, taking a cautious sip of my own drink.

"Delicious," she confirmed, her cheeks flushed from the warmth or maybe the closeness between us.

"Come on, there's more," I said, leading her further into the heart of the market.

"Look at these," Juniper exclaimed, stopping in front of a stall piled high with bags of roasted chestnuts. The sweet, earthy aroma was irresistible. We decided to buy a bag, and began munching on the salty snack, our hands occasionally colliding as we reached in for more.

"Never thought I'd find myself sharing chestnuts with you here, of all places," she said, her voice tinged with wonder.

"Life's full of surprises, isn't it?" I replied, watching her pop a chestnut into her mouth.

"Indeed," she laughed, brushing a rogue flake of snow from my shoulder.

"Hey, listen," I said suddenly, as the sound of melodic voices rose above the market chatter. We followed the music until we found a group of carolers gathered on a makeshift stage, their harmonious voices filling the square.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was just beginning, and I saw Juniper's eyes light up. Without hesitation, we joined the crowd of onlookers. It wasn't long before we were singing along, our voices finding each other in the throng. I wasn't much of a singer, but with Juniper beside me, I felt like I could belt out any tune.

"Ever think you'd be caroling with me in Springfield?" I whispered during the brief instrumental interlude.

"Can't say I did, but..." She leaned in closer, her breath warm against my ear despite the chilly air. "I'm starting to think there's nothing I wouldn't do with you, Mason Knight."

"Is that so?" I teased back, my arm instinctively wrapping around her shoulders.

The band struck up a jaunty rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock" next, and, with a grin that felt like it split my face in two, I pulled Juniper into an impromptu dance.

"Whoa!" Her peal of laughter rang out, clear and delighted, as I twirled her under my arm. She spun back into my embrace with a grace that belied her claims of being uncoordinated.

"Didn't know you had moves like this," she teased, her green eyes sparkling with mirth beneath the canopy of twinkling lights that crisscrossed above our heads.

"Neither did I," I admitted, laughing along with her.

Our feet moved in time with the beat, and I noted how her hair—shorter now but still untamable—bounced with each step she took. Each movement brought us closer, the distance between us shrinking until I could feel the warmth of her body through our layers of winter clothing.

"Look at us, high school Mason would be so proud," I said.

"High school Junie is screaming on the inside," she responded, her voice breathy from the dancing. "In a good way."

We lost ourselves in the rhythm, the music enveloping us in a world all our own. Around us, other couples joined in, their laughter blending with ours. It was easy to forget the world beyond the square. For those few minutes, we were just Mason and Junie, dancing without a care amid the magic of a small-town Christmas.

"Juniper McCall," I said, leaning in close enough to whisper over the music, "you make every damn Christmas song sound like it's written just for you."

"Keep talking like that, and you'll give me an ego to rival Santa's," she shot back, but her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink that matched the ribbons adorning the lampposts.

"Good," I murmured, spinning her once more before drawing her back to me. The dance ended, but the closeness didn't. I wrapped my arms around Juniper, pulling her into an embrace that felt like it could melt all the snow in Springfield. She leaned back against me, and we stood there, watching the delicate snowflakes drift from the heavens—a serene snow globe moment meant just for us.

"Feels like being caught in a snowstorm of confetti," she murmured, her breath visible in the cold air.

"Best kind of storm to be caught in," I agreed, tightening my hold on her. The warmth of her body seeped into mine, staving off the chill of the outdoors. "Especially when you're here with me."

She turned within my arms, gazing up at me with those soulful green eyes that seemed to see right through to my core.

"Junie, you know, if I could freeze time…"

"Trust me, you'd get cold standing still too long," she interrupted with a playful smirk, breaking our solemn mood.

Before I could come up with a witty retort, a voice sliced through the falling snow, as shrill and unwelcome as nails on a chalkboard.

"Juniper, darling, what is that on your face? Did you have a little accident with your crafts?" Paris Dubois stood before us, all sculpted features and mocking smile. Beside her, Troy Stone's blue eyes were fixed on Juniper with a look that was hard to read. I felt my jaw clench at the sight of him.

"Paint," Juniper answered simply, reaching up to touch her cheek where a streak of color marked her fair skin—a remnant of our ornament-making escapade.

"Ah, always so...hands-on." Paris's laughter tinkled, but there was no humor in her eyes.

"Paris, some of us aren't afraid to get our hands dirty," I said, feeling protective heat flare up inside me. I stepped slightly in front of Juniper, not trusting myself to keep a civil tongue with Troy lurking there like some well-dressed vulture.

"Of course, Mason, how working class of you," Paris drawled, her gaze flitting dismissively over my flannel shirt and worn jeans.

"Better working class than classless," I shot back, unable to resist the jab.

"Touché," she conceded with a tilt of her perfectly coiffed head. "Come along, Troy. We wouldn't want to dull our shine with too much... festivity."

As they sauntered away, I turned back to Juniper, who was looking at the spot where Paris had stood with a frown marring her beautiful features. I cupped her cheek, thumb rubbing away the smear of paint.

"Hey, don't let her get to you," I said softly. "You outshine her without even trying."

"Thanks, Mason." Her lips curved into a smile, but I could tell Paris's words had left a frosty residue. "Paris always knows just what to say to ruin a moment, doesn't she?" she murmured, more to herself than to me, her tone edged with a bitterness that didn't suit her.

"Hey," I said softly, reaching for her hand, "don't let her—"

But she stepped back, pulling her hand from mine, and the space between us felt like a chasm. The vibrant energy that had thrummed through our joined hands fizzled out, leaving a cold emptiness in its wake.

"Junie," I began, the nickname slipping out, a plea for her not to retreat into herself. "She's wrong. About everything."

"Is she?" Juniper's voice wavered, her green eyes clouding over, and god, it hurt to see her confidence shaken by a couple of careless words.

"A hundred percent. The woman obviously needs glasses," I retorted, attempting to draw a smile from her with my lame joke. "Because all I see is this incredible, beautiful woman who's too damn good for any of them."

A sad smile tugged at her lips, but it didn't reach those stunning eyes of hers. "You're sweet, Mason. But you don't have to keep fixing things."

"Who says I'm fixing anything?" I reached out again and traced the outline of her lips with my thumb. "I just hate seeing you upset."

She glanced away, her gaze drifting towards the families and couples around us, lost in their own worlds of joy and holiday cheer. The presence of Paris and Troy had managed to ruin the magic, and I hated them for it.

"How about we take back our day?" I asked. "Would you like to go somewhere quieter, like maybe back to my place for a while? I'll forewarn you it's still a work in progress, but I do have working heat."

"That sounds perfect," she agreed with a sigh. Grabbing her hand, we began to walk quietly back through the market, the late December skies darkening with twilight's rapid descent. One thing I knew for sure was I was going to do everything in my power to put a smile back on Juniper's face before I had to take her home.